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Can 8 week old YT withstand long drive? Hello all! I am getting a new puppy in 2 weeks and, at that time she will be 8-1/2 weeks old. My DH and I are traveling from Texas to Georgia to see our son's graduation into the U. S. Ranger Program on October 23rd. We will be driving the miles over a two-day span, driving 7 hours a day (14 hour total), and then BACK. We will be gone a total of 6 days. The lady I purchased her from said she would be glad to board her (free) while we are gone. I don't want to shuffle the puppy around like that. If I wasn't so anxious to bring her home, I would not pick her up until after we return from our trip. As far as potty training her and getting her into a routine, well, she has no routine at the breeder's either. I would have to put that off, as well, until we returned home. Am I being selfish? I also looked around for patterns so I can sew my little girl a "coming home" dress. Patterns are expensive. Does anyone out there have an XS dress they would like to sell me for that special occasion?? Thanks. |
yes, it will be hard on her and she shouldn't even be leaving the breeder that young. Ethical breeders don't even think about letting them go until between 20-22 weekss. most of the time it's twelve weeks. that extra time spent with mama is invaluable. i hope you will reconsider. Congratulations on your new puppy. |
Hmm...I certainly wouldn't risk it. When pups are young, they need a very stable, calm environment while they settle in, which would NOT include a lengthy car ride. Of course, it is not really advisable for pups that young to be placed with new owners. Reputable breeders generally agree that pups should not be placed until around 12 weeks of age, sometimes longer, sooo..... |
She's too young to have had all her shots. Puppies should not be allowed in potentially contaminated areas without all their shots, and it sounds like you would be exposing her to many unknown environments. At her age, she needs to stay with the breeder & her litter. |
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Some valid points have been stated ... Whereas the ideal is to leave the pup with mom and siblings until at least 12 weeks of age, the reality is that many - if not most - breeders will try to get the pups "out" by the 8 weeks the law states, not what the YTCA states. I acquired mine at 8 weeks, no harm/no foul. Travelling that much would be hard on the pup. I prefer travelling with mine in their car seat; prior to that, it was in their crate(s). But I never went that far with them, only an hour or so. To travel that far, the pup would need companionship - to be near/alongside you. It would make for great bonding time, but is not anywhere near the ultimate in safety ... like if you got in an accident! The pup would also need frequent potty breaks. That was never a problem for me, as *I* need them, too ;). The problem, as stated above, is that the pup will not have all her shots to be fully protected from the various things that can be caught - with Parvo being of primary concern. So, stopping at the rest stops to walk her where all the other traveling folk are walking their dogs is NOT a good idea. And stopping alongside the road for "virgin grass" is not safe for YOU. I fully understand wanting to have your 4-footed baby at your 2-footed baby's graduation from Ranger School (quite an achievement!) - but if there's any way you can get the breeder to keep her while you make the trip, it would be so much better for her. I'm not saying it can't be done, I'm just saying perhaps it *shouldn't* be done. In any event, good luck with your decision and Congratulations to your son. |
No pup should be leaving their mother before 12 weeks of age and at times longer if the pup hasn't reach 2 pounds or more. At 8 1/2 weeks your puppy is just being weaned, has probably only had it's first innoculation. Between 8 and 12 weeks puppies are being socialized and taught so much by their moms. As far as a long ride, it's hard enough on an adult dog, let a lone an 8 1/2 week old puppy, anything can happen with the added stress of going to a new location. |
Thanks everyone Thank you everyone for replying. I will not be taking her on my trip to Georgia. I'm going to ask the breeder if she will keep her until she is 12 weeks old. I don't think she will agree. She wants to adopt them all out soon. But, it never hurts to ask. I really am afraid to bring her home at 8 weeks. I'm afraid something bad is going to happen to her if I do. Rest assured, I will not be taking my precious baby on that long ride. Right now, she is only 6 weeks old. I can't pick her up for two weeks, which will make her 8 weeks old. She had her first set of shots this past Saturday. |
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glad you are not taking her with you and hopefully the breeder complies, when we got Sadie we were in a bad situation with a pretty irresponsible breeder. they would keep her while we went to our parents for the weekend in Sept. sure, but they said she would still be away from her mom at 6 weeks no matter what. so my heart went out to the puppy and i wanted to rescue her from them. they didn't actually let her go until 7 weeks, but we went ahead and got her anyways. she has had no health issues at all, and we did go stay with my mom and dad when she was only 10 weeks old and she did great. i'm one of those that understands the need to stay with the mom until 12 week for biting reasons and other learning things, however we had no issues at 7 weeks and she has already learned far more in training than most dogs her age know. she was sitting and laying down on command by 9 weeks old and has learned tons more tricks since then. so while i understand the rules and wouldn't get a puppy this young next time, we've actually had a great time with her at that young age because we've taught her a lot more having her here longer at a young age than most people. not to mention we got to see all her puppy phases ourselves. it's ultimately your choice, if the breeder would keep her and keep her with her mom, i'd say leave her there. i should mention our trip to my mom's was only an hour long trip, not 7, and we had a virgin yard at their house for her to pee in so we didn't worry as much about Parvo there either. |
If the breeder does not ageree to keep her until she is 12 weeks, then your breeder does not have the best interest of the puppy in mind. And therefore I would look for another breeder. Because this one is obviously in it for the money. I am holding one of my puppies for an additional month because the buyer is going to be gone for 2 weeks and I did not want her to get the puppy and then have to leave her for 2 weeks and then just when she settles in with the sitter, she is moved again. It is too hard on them. the stress can trigger all sorts of problems. |
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The first 8 weeks of a pups life is completely spent with mom, that's all they need, a breeder's work though very busy, really begins when the pups turn 8 weeks of age. |
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If you acquired yours at and age that you admit was not 'ideal' and didn't experience any problems, then consider yourself lucky. Many are not so fortunate and many share their stories about it here on this forum. One may luck up and get a very young pup and never have any issues, but why even risk something that could be so easily avoided? |
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Many of the problems that new owners have with their puppies is due to them being taken from their mothers before they have learned how to be a dog. They may be physically old enough at 8 weeks, but not mentally. I absolutely love watching the older dogs teasch the puppies how to be a good pack member. And they all get in on it, even the males. |
May look for another breeder If the breeder doesn't agree to keep her at least until she is 10 weeks old, then I'm thinking about looking for another breeder. Honestly, I don't believe the puppy is with her mother. The breeder told me she put her with another one of her "parti" yorkies because mine was so small that she was afraid to keep her with her 3 brothers. I just feel bad for her. If she is not with her mother, then how is she going to learn what she needs?? I'm so afraid that this little girl will not grow up "normal". She may and she may not. We may have a hard time with her and, then again, we may not. It's 6 in one hand and a half-dozen in the other! I'm so confused. I'm going to try and find some posts that explain the benefits of leaving a puppy longer with its mother. Thanks everyone. |
it might be a bad breeder, but that doesn't always mean the puppy won't be okay or turn out alright. it is a risk to take, but having taken that risk and had no issues other than mouthing and biting some and having to teach her the hard way not to do so, we've had NO issues with her and she's perfect once again totally up to you. |
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Generally speaking, a risk is a risk...I cannot understand the logic of taking a risk that could have very dire consequences when it could so easily be avoided! :confused: Yes, everything *may* turn out OK, but it may just as easily go the other way and result in heartache. is it really worth it? The logic that doesn't work when applied to other instances...it makes no sense in this case either. But that's just me. |
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now would i go with this breeder again. NO, i've learned a lot about things since then, but i don't for one second regret or take back my choice of going ahead with Sadie. she's everything i could ever hope for and getting her "too young" didn't affect us at all...i'm sure some people do have issues with it, but we didn't and that's the truth. sorry i have to be honest here ya know. i mean i'd advise the OP to get a dog from a responsible breeder, but from my own experience 7 weeks worked out just fine for us!! |
sorry i double posted darn it! |
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As an exhibitor breeder and originally first a pet owner, I obtained my first yorkie at 8 weeks of age. Not until after I began exhibiting and breeding did I understand the benefits of pups staying with their moms until 12 weeks or longer. I definately saw a difference in the personalities, confidence levels were higher, and socialization was like night and day. A breeder that puts time and effort into her pups is making sure that those new families have an easy transition with their new pups and are not only looking out for the pup, but the new family, making sure that there will not have any problems. My pups have had a minimum of 2 innoculations, vet checked, love everyone and arent' afriad of anything, eating well on their own and are piddle pad trained by the time they go home. |
i agree with mary. I also got ceeby at 8 weeks old and he weighed 9 ounces. I had to cancel several holiday plans that year because he had one problem after another and I had never had a yorkie before. The most serious problem was pancreatitis over thanksgiving weekend. hubby and I ate bologna sandwiches that day because we were afraid he would die if we left him. i was seeing yorkies in the paper here every day at six weeks old. Still do and I shake my head and wonder. i have seen the benefits of keeping them with mama until at least 10-12 weeks. I have only let one go at ten weeks to a very experienced yorkie owner. That is the prime time for the mamas to teach them what they need to know to live in the world. My girls even potty train their babies. |
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I would question any breeder that is letting puppies go this early. I would walk away in the other direction as they are not doing what is best for the puppy. |
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Extreme biting and chewing can be an issue many deal with as a result of the dog being placed too early. Yes, most pups go through that stage, but only to an extent. Please realize, you were the one that mentioned that as having been an issue you dealt with, not me. No, I'm most certain that I would not "have done the same thing" as my brain understands the risks you take by doing so and the type of breeder you'd be supporting, despite what my heart my tell me. But you are not to fault--you said yourself at the time you didn't know any better. That is the case for many people. But for those who do know better, and I'm assuming you include yourself in that group now, we try to make others aware of the dangers and risks. Again, if you didn't have any major issues with your girl, then that is great. Count your blessings, but don't advise others that it's a good idea because you didn't have a bad experience and are proof that it *might* turn out OK. I know people who have driven drunk and thankfully reached their destination without harm to themselves or others. But I also understand the dangers of it and would never advise someone that 'it's their choice and might turn out OK because it turned out OK for people before.' Same logic. |
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They learn how to be a part of the pack and have good manners, and that there are rules and a pecking order and they are at the bottom of that order. |
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Why do you let them go that early? Is it to avoid the work? |
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the question is, now that you have been informed, why do you sell them that young? |
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It brings tears to my eyes to see the pack interact and teach the babies. it's the best part of my job other than watching them come into the world. |
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